Chicago White Sox: It feels like James McCann won’t be back
It feels like James McCann won’t be back with the Chicago White Sox next year.
When the Chicago White Sox announced that they were signing Yasmani Grandal to a multi-year deal worth a lot of money it made a lot of people wonder what the future was for James McCann. He would end up signing a one-year deal with the White Sox for 2020 but now his future with the team is in jeopardy. It doesn’t feel like something that will end with McCann playing for the White Sox in the long term.
Jon Heyman is about as plugged in as any baseball insider in the world. He chimed in about McCann on Twitter yesterday saying that he is receiving interest from many teams. In addition to the White Sox, the New York Yankees, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Angels all have interest in him. There is also a belief that the Philadelphia Phillies will inquire if they lose out on JT Realmuto this offseason.
The White Sox would like to bring McCann back in the mix but it seems like he is looking to be a starter. In most of those other scenarios, he would walk in and be the starting catcher on a good team. It is sad but nobody can say that he doesn’t deserve it for how good he has been over the past two seasons.
If the White Sox were to bring him back, it would make a whole lot of sense for a lot of reasons. He can split catching duties with Grandal as they are both 2020 Gold Glove nominees. They are also both elite offensive catchers so having one be the designated hitter when the other is behind the plate isn’t the worst idea ever. Grandal can also play some first base if they use Jose Abreu as the DH on occasion with McCann catching.
James McCann has received interest from the Yanks, Mets, Cardinals and Angels in addition to the White Sox. Phillies also believed interested if they lose Realmuto. McCann is coming into his own with a 144 OPS plus last year. White Sox like him, but realistically, he’s a starter.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 30, 2020
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There are so many ways that this can go, depending on the wants and needs of the player. The White Sox would obviously benefit from him coming back but they would be the first to admit that he deserves an opportunity to be a starter somewhere. As fun as it would be to see him come back, it doesn’t feel likely at this point in time.